In this context, Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) are particularly exposed. In addition to the exacerbated politicisation in Côte d'Ivoire, the Ivorian people very often link human rights issues to political propaganda according to their interests, in order to benefit some and discredit others. 

Thus, HRDs are victims of threats and intimidation, especially journalists and LGBTI rights defenders. Also, associations protecting women's rights are a particularly vulnerable category of HRDs, who are often a privileged target because of the sexist prejudices and gender-based violence that prevail in Côte d'Ivoire. 

Today, NGOs and associations have succeeded in bringing together a good number of these HRDs, who work and organise themselves within such structures. 

Faced with this problematic situation, Côte d'Ivoire has adopted a Law n°2014-388 of 20 June 2014 on the promotion and protection of human rights defenders. 

Thus, how to guarantee and ensure effective protection for human rights defenders in Côte d'Ivoire? 

This protection is achieved through the promotion of the 2014 law. Therefore it is a matter of strengthening the capacity and protection of human rights NGOs and in particular human rights defenders, including lawyers and journalists (men and women) as well as defenders of LGBTI people.

In order to strengthen the capacity and protection of human rights NGOs and in particular human rights defenders, the project is implementing 6 actions:

• Awareness-raising workshops for actors involved in the protection of human rights defenders, in particular judicial police officers, magistrates, lawyers, etc.

• Training workshop for human rights defenders on international mechanisms and instruments for their protection and to defend and protect vulnerable people

• Networking of HRDs and development of a contingency plan

• Establishment of an alert and denunciation system for cases of human rights violations against human rights defenders.

• Free legal assistance to human rights defenders who are victims of violations

• Direct financial support to local organisations ($30,000)

The project will be carried out over a period of 18 months during which the activities will be carried out in close collaboration between ASF France and its partner AFJCI.

The project will cover 10 regions, namely Abidjan, Guiglo, Man, San-Pedro, Korhogo, Bouaké, Bondoukou, Boundiali, Abengourou and Daloa.